LEAD DEPARTMENT
Sport, Leisure and Childhood Studies MTU Cork campuses
Coordinated by
Joan Dineen (Joan.Dinneen@mtu.ie)
Active members
20
PURPOSE
This Learning Community focuses on professional accreditation within the field of sport, leisure, and childhood studies. As accreditation requirements continue to evolve, the Learning Community aims to ensure that MTU programmes meet and exceed professional standards while maintaining strong industry recognition. The Learning Community also seeks to provide a platform for staff collaboration, enabling knowledge exchange on best practices in accreditation, curriculum development, and professional alignment.
A key focus of this Learning Community is supporting the development and accreditation of the new Coaching Science and Sports Pedagogy degree. Through collaboration with accrediting bodies such as Register of Exercise Professionals (REPs) Ireland, the Learning Community will work to ensure that the degree and other relevant courses meet the highest industry standards. As part of its activities, the Learning Community will also support staff professional development in accreditation-related areas, ensuring that all team members are equipped to contribute effectively to the accreditation process.
Summary of Activities
- The Learning Community (LC) was founded to support and encourage collaboration among staff members teaching modules accredited by the Register of Exercise Professionals, Ireland (REPs).
- In its inaugural year, the LC organised a successful CPD day in June 2019.
- COVID-19 posed challenges for module delivery, making the LC an essential collaborative environment, although practical CPD and group-learning sessions were limited to online formats.
- The LC has met three times this academic year and is planning a half-day round-table CPD event in the new year.
- Membership has expanded as the teaching team grows, welcoming new staff members to contribute to ongoing accreditation efforts.
- Over the past academic year, the LC held a CPD day in September 2022 and conducted several team meetings focused on the REPs Ireland audit process.
- These meetings were vital in aligning accreditation requirements with MTU's programme offerings and ensuring compliance with professional standards.
- The LC is actively preparing a new course accreditation pack for the upcoming Coaching Science and Sports Pedagogy degree.
- Although the group has not been as active as planned in the past year, its core mission remains intact.
- A CPD session is scheduled for September before the semester starts, to foster further collaboration and planning.
- Moving forward, the LC aims to increase engagement, formalise accreditation processes, and strengthen alignment with industry requirements.
- The LC is committed to enhancing MTU’s accreditation processes and developing high-quality, industry-recognised degree programmes.
- Ongoing efforts include documenting accreditation procedures, refining programme structures, and engaging with professional bodies to ensure MTU graduates are well-prepared for their careers.
